I feel that even before I start writing about The ½ Hour News Hour I must come clean.
When I write my "Never Judge a Show By Its Pilot" segments, I tend to choose programs that appeal to me based on a log line, promo, or buzz. I'd rather talk about programs I like and not promote the programs I don't. I am making an exception in the case of The ½ Hour News Hour. I felt it important to make this disclaimer.
When I heard on Air America Radio that the FOX News Channel was entering the world of comedy — deliberately — I felt that I needed to see this train wreck. First of all I have to question the show’s originality when the title was stolen from The 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour. Prior to watching the pilot I saw a clip of the show on YouTube.
I have two questions.
- Was that supposed to be funny?
- Are they using a laugh track? I swear I heard the same canned laughter over and over again and this show appears to be taped before a live audience.
Good comedy has to have a point of view. Satire only works when the comedian goes after every institution, be it political, religious, or corporate. The so-called Fair and Balanced News Channel is attempting to create a conservative counterpart to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. What they fail to grasp is that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert poke fun at everyone including the news media, themselves, and their corporate owners.
Although sometimes it’s easy to figure out what a comedian’s personal politics are, a professional will poke fun of everyone. All I could grasp from this YouTube clip is that The ½ Hour News Hour is throwing pies at the faces of liberals and missing the target. Satire is considered highbrow comedy and what I have seen so far is about as sophisticated as throwing a pie at someone’s face. Fortunately for The ½ Hour News Hour I never judge a show by its pilot, let alone a clip on YouTube.
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